Seth McLaughlin
Articles by Seth McLaughlin
GOP must embrace pro-immigration policy, big donors say
GOP conservatives believed they had won the illegal immigration fight last year when congressional leaders embraced a deportation crackdown, but big-money donors are mounting a counterattack, saying the Republican Party must nominate a pro-legalization candidate if it is to win the White House in 2016. Published February 23, 2015
John Bolton in New Hampshire to promote more muscular U.S. foreign policy
John Bolton plans to be in New Hampshire over the next couple days as part of his push to make sure that foreign policy issues do not get short shrift in the 2016 presidential race. Published February 19, 2015
Jeb Bush honored Hillary Clinton one year after Benghazi attack, conservative group says
A conservative group rolled out a new online video Thursday that claims Jeb Bush is unelectable because he honored former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with an award for public service a year after the Benghazi attacks. Published February 19, 2015
Jeb Bush declares independence from father and brother, cites Iraq mistakes
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday that he is his "own man," not beholden to the policies of his brother or father — in the same speech where he embraced bulk data collection powers under the Patriot Act, a key program started by his brother. Published February 18, 2015
Jeb Bush: NSA’s metadata collection shields Americans from terrorist attacks
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday that the National Security Agency's bulk collection of Americans' telephone calls is a key part of keeping the nation safe. Published February 18, 2015
Mitt Romney’s former finance chair praises Jeb Bush on immigration
The national finance chairman for Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign on Tuesday praised Jeb Bush's stance on immigration, saying the party should consider following his lead if it hopes to win back the White House in 2016. Published February 17, 2015
Jeb Bush to address Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Jeb Bush will travel to Illinois on Wednesday to address the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Published February 16, 2015
Jim Webb weighing White House run ‘under right circumstances’
Former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb said Sunday that he will run for president in 2016 if he can be convinced that he can compete financially without selling out on the core issues he wants to push on the campaign trail. Published February 15, 2015
Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio bolster 2016 resumes through bill sponsorships
Sen. Rand Paul's first bill out of the chute this year was pro-Israel legislation cutting U.S. assistance to Palestinians, followed up a couple of weeks later by his father's signature Audit-the-Fed measure. Published February 15, 2015
GOP merchandizer offering a million free pro-Jeb Bush bumper stickers
A major supplier of GOP merchandize has launched a merchandising website dedicated to supporting Jeb Bush presidential aspirations and is giving away a million free bumper stickers promoting the former Florida governor. Published February 13, 2015
Scott Walker: Not ‘wise’ to undermine president while overseas
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Wednesday during a swing through London that there are "very real threats" around the world, but he refused to share his foreign policy vision, saying he is there on a trade mission and that it is impolite to take potshots at President Obama during trips abroad. Published February 11, 2015
Jeb Bush releases flood of emails ahead of 2016 White House bid
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush released a boatload of emails Tuesday from his time in office, saying he wanted to make a statement on transparency as he pushed forward with plans to run for president — and potentially giving his GOP rivals ammunition for attacks. Published February 10, 2015
Rick Santorum seeks 2016 strategy to carry momentum beyond Iowa to nomination
Former Sen. Rick Santorum ground out a victory in Iowa's 2012 GOP presidential caucuses by visiting all 99 of the state's counties, but he's not ready to commit to a repeat if he runs in 2016 after learning that living off the land in the first primary isn't enough to build a campaign that can win the nomination. Published February 10, 2015
Bobby Jindal rolls out education agenda as he eyes 2016 presidential bid
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was in Washington on Monday trying to stake his claim to be the conservative standard-bearer in the 2016 GOP presidential primary, but voters so far aren't buying in. Published February 9, 2015
Bobby Jindal: Common Core supporters stand with D.C. bureaucrats
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal took a swipe Monday at former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, saying that supporters of Common Core are aligning with with Washington bureaucrats and against families that want more control over their children's education. Published February 9, 2015
Rick Perry hoping 2016 differs from 2012 campaign
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry parachuted into Washington on Thursday, telling a gathering of conservatives that the GOP must not "waste" its congressional majorities while suggesting the party could learn a thing or two about leadership from the way in which Republican governors are tackling big issues in the states. Published February 5, 2015
Jeb Bush tests economic fairness message in Detroit
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush issued a GOP-style call for economic fairness in a major campaign kick-off speech at the Detroit Economic Club Wednesday, road-testing his effort to sell Republican primary voters on a softer conservative message than the tea party-tinged ideas coming from Capitol Hill. Published February 4, 2015
Jeb Bush: Parents should make sure kids are vaccinated
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday that parents should get their children vaccinated, wading into an ongoing debate over whether vaccines should be required. Published February 4, 2015
Scott Walker has White House advantage after Mitt Romney’s retreat
Mitt Romney's decision to sit out the next presidential race moves one of the GOP's biggest anchors to the past, and the party's fresh faced hopefuls are already scrambling to take advantage. Published February 1, 2015
Gov. Scott Walker: Time for ‘new’ approach to governing
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said Friday that ordinary Americans are tired of the heavy hand of Washington and are yearning for elected leaders to take a "fresh" bottom-up approach to governance that empowers states and localities. Published January 30, 2015